CBS Evening News

Learning to celebrate democracy in Burma

(CBS News) RANGOON - A celebration broke out Sunday night in the streets of Rangoon as supporters packed the area outside Aung San Suu Kyi's party headquarters, reveling in the Nobel Peace Prize winner's parliamentary election victory.

CBS News correspondent Seth Doane reports that on late Sunday afternoon, as opposition tallies started to trickle in, Thazin Pwint Ah felt she was watching more than just election results.

"I don't know how this feels, because we don't get this much, so I hope we can feel democracy, and one day I hope I can tell you how democracy feels here," Ah said.

Election day started early in the rural district Suu Kyi fought to represent. Before dawn, a crowd gathered just to get a glimpse of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

It's her first bid for elected office, but just the latest in her decades-long battle against the military-backed government here.

On her way to polling stations this morning, there was no mistaking Suu Kyi's car, as it was swarmed with people. Hundreds ethnic Kareni people in their special "tin-dai" - or formal dress - flocked to her.